CNI News

20 September 2024

Solving Myanmar's political problem in a peaceful way is the best, Col. Khun Okkar, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), told CNI News.

As one organization, to get rid of the rival one completely has been no more; neighboring countries are urging the organizations in Myanmar to solve the conflict in a peaceful manner, he said.

" While they are roused up, they have no mind to solve the conflict in a peaceful way. But an answer will emerge before this year or early next year. There aren't many countries which were able to solve the conflict by weapon in the world. Later, armed policy has been out of date. Especially, getting rid of the rival organization completely has been no more these days. Our neighboring countries such as India, China and Thailand have no intervention, but they have urged the organizations in Myanmar to negotiate or to hold peace talks as well as reduce or stop the conflict, which is obviously the best answer for the whole country and neighboring countries. So, all the stakeholders will reach on the dialogue path after all. I have armed for 54 years. If the dialogue path is open, we can change the system." said Col. Khun Okkar to CNI News.

While seeing the leaders from the Tatmadaw, armed groups and the government

The system of a country can be changed by the means of dialogue without by the means of being armed. All the methods must be tried, he said.

Because of the political change that started on 1st February, 2021, armed conflicts broke out widely throughout the country. 

Organizations involved in the conflict are giving priority to get rid of the rival organizations completely which is being reviewed by the political circles.

She believed that the way to win the peace would be won if it was really searched for; armed way could not succeed in the long run, chairperson of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) Daw Saw Mya Raza Lin told CNI News.

While seeing leaders of the political parties

" The peace can be won if the way to win the peace is really searched for, I believe. I am from an armed revolutionary organization. We are still armed. But trying to make a decision is not an answer, I think. Being armed might be successful in the short term, but not in the long run. The current situation of Myanmar is like that of Gaza. There is a reason Myanmar will be like Gaza in future. We need to take longer if we meet with political parties so that we can think about it more seriously, I think." she said.

The peace delegation of the SAC, some NCA signatories and some political parties are meeting and discussing the peace process. 

On the other hand, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Spring Revolution forces in many parts of the country.

CNI News

20 September 2024

All the rice shops including small ones all over the country must register for the permit to store, an official from the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association told CNI News.

Bigger rice shops have been asked to register for storage since November, 2023 and those who store 50 tons of rice and above or 5,000 baskets of paddy and above must register, released by the government in June 2024.

But now, even small rice shops must register for storage permit and it had not been clear whether small rice shops would be exempted from registration fee or not, said an official from the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association, told CNI News.

" In the past, those who stored 1,000 bags of rice and above were instructed to register. But now, as authorities want to know all the storage lists of the people who sell rice, all the rice shops are asked to register. The Ministry of Commerce has formed an organization that will verify. I heard that those who store 200 to 300 bags of rice will be exempted from the registration fee. First, those who store 1,000 bags of rice and 5,000 baskets of paddy must pay the registration fee." he said.

While seeing a rice brokers' sales center

The ministry instructed rice shops to register the storage to ensure rice security within the country, to make the rice market and the price stable, to register the rice storage systematically and to implement a financial supporting system based on handing over goods to the storehouse, said the Ministry of Commerce.

At present, because of Typhoon Yagi, over 600,000 cultivated acres were damaged. So, because the paddy yield might decline by the million baskets of paddy, the ministry might have asked the rice shops to register the rice storage to know the amount of rice consumption and it wanted to control the price speculations, Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor told CNI News.

" They might want to know the data regarding the reserve rice. When the country face a natural disaster like this, the demand tends to rise and the prices of rice tend to rise as well, which they seem to prevent. Although rice merchants only were asked to register in the past, now they seem to control the market. And they might be a little in need of reserve rice. They might want to weigh the necessary amount of rice for the future and the current amount." he said.

The number of storehouses registered up to 23rd June, 2024 of companies were 213 as well as 513, of individual entrepreneurs. So, 726 storehouses have been registered, according to the ministry.

CNI News

19 September 2024

The Indian government would provide aids such as clothes, dried foods and medicines to the flood victims in Myanmar where there damages due to Typhoon Yagi, released the Indian Embassy to Myanmar. 

As India showed unity with flood victims, it is sending its aids to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.

And then, the Indian government sent 10 tons of aids for reconstruction including dried foods, clothes and medicine for Myanmar flood victims by ship INST Satpura of the Indian Navy, reported the embassy. 

In Myanmar, because of Typhoon Yagi, after it was continuously raining heavily, the water levels of rivers and creeks were so high that 56 townships from the Naypyidaw Council Territory, Magway, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, Bago Regions, Kayah, Shan, Mon, and Karen States were flooded.

While seeing a flood was taking place in Myanmar

So, 2,116 houses were damaged and 158,373 houses were sunk. 

The government opened 438 rescue camps for flood victims and had to move 42,858 households and 163,780 people. Due to flood disaster, according to the figures collected until 4:00 pm 16th September, 226 Myanmar people were killed and 77 people were lost.

In the same way, 117 offices and departmental buildings, 1040 schools, 386 religious buildings, some roads and bridges, lamp posts and telecommunication towers were destroyed, reported the SAC. 

Moreover, 128,344 animals such as cattle, pig and goat were killed and 643,081 cultivated acres were sunk.

CNI News

19 September 2024

It is necessary for Myanmar's PE (Passport for Education) holders in Thailand who are attending short-term courses with Non-ED visa to have other documents to have other documents, Myanmar people in Thailand told CNI News. 

The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok stated that it would not provide service to the Myanmar people who were attending short-term courses with Non-ED visa for the renewal of PE starting from 16th September.

Refusal to renew the passport means to ask those with the passport expired to go home; so the Myanmar people whose passports still were valid should do to have other documents that are issued by the Thai authorities, U Aung Kyaw, from the Labor Right Foundation (LBR) told CNI News.

" The reason why the PE is not extended is the Myanmar government want the PE holders to come back to Myanmar. If the embassy doesn't extend the PE, all the PE holders will be illegal. And then they all will find difficulties. The Thai Ministry of Labor promised that residence and work permits would be issued to all undocumented people under the Thai government led by former Thai PM Srettha. But it didn't go ahead because Thai politics changed recently. A new PM came to power. If the subject regarding migrant workers was discussed at the Cabinet meeting, a certain document would be issued to them, which migrant workers are hoping." he said.

Myanmar migrants who are waiting in front of the Myanmar Embassy

In the past, renewal of PE was conducted within one day in the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok and the Myanmar Consulate in Chianmai. 

But  because there has been a sharp increase in the number of Myanmar students who are attending courses in a virtual format after getting Non-ED visa, the embassy will not provide service to extend the PE, said in the statement released by the embassy.

Refusal to renew the PE passport may be because some of the PE holders might be those who go against the SAC, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) told CNI News.

" They must choose one or another. If those who are OK to go home, go home. Otherwise, as illegal residents, work in a job regarding the university. Otherwise, when they have to apply as recruits, will they do? The military government will tighten step by step. If you haven't made any preparations, you will get into trouble." he said.

There are many Myanmar citizens holding PE, who are staying in Thailand with Non-ED visa reportedly.

Although those who are attending short term courses are refused to renew their PE, students who are long-term courses and studying in primary and secondary education are regularly allowed to renew.

CNI News

19 September 2024

Questions are emerging in relation to how NCA signatory EAOs are helping flood-hit people. 

The 7 NCA signatory EAOs are supporting rice to flood victims and collaborating with other organizations, Patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

"We are helping flood victims on a small scale. We distribute rice to flood victims depending on getting it. We are helping flood victims in territories within reach together with donors. And we are collaborating with the Pa-O National Organization (PNO/PNA) in the Special Region-6 that contains six townships in helping flood victims." he said.

Typhoon Yagi which entered Vietnam on 7th September was blowing at a rate of 130 miles per hour and the typhoon pushed rain clouds over Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar after which it was raining, breaking record, said Vice Chairman of the SAC.

While houses were being sunk during the flood

Except for Kachin, Rakhine States and Tanintharyi Region, all the rest states and regions were flooded, and according to the figures collected up to 16th September, 200,000 people were flood victims. 

226 people were killed and 77 people were lost, reported the SAC.

Their troops were carrying out rescue tasks for flood victims and town cleaning tasks, Captain Saw Zaw Min from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) told CNI News.

" We were carrying out rescue tasks for flood victims when flood took place on 12th, 13th and 14th September Moreover, we conducted reconstruction tasks for three days continually such as removing mud and cleaning ruins. Any one wasn't killed, but properties were all damaged. But it's not as much damages as other states and regions." he said.

While the DKBA and departmental staff are jointly cleaning damages left due to flood

7 EAO Alliance is made up of the PNLO, the DKBA, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), the KNU/KNLA-Peace Council.

In Myanmar, because of Typhoon Yagi, it was continuously raining heavily and the water levels of rivers and creeks were so high that 56 townships from Naypyidaw Council Territory, Magway, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, Bago Regions, Kayah, Shan, Mon and Karen States were flooded. 

So, 2,116 houses were damaged and 158,373 houses were sunk. The government opened 438 rescue camps and had to move 42,858 households and 163,780 people.

According to the figures collected until 4:00 pm on 16th September, 226 people were killed and 77 people were lost. Moreover, 117 offices and departmental buildings, 1040 schools, 386 religious buildings, some roads and bridges, lamp posts and telecommunication towers were destroyed, reported the SAC.

Moreover, 128,344 animals were dead and 643,081 cultivated acres were sunk.

CNI News

18 September 2024

Vice chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win said to make flood victims get the donations and consumer goods justly and fairly. 

He said the above at meeting (2/2024) of the national management committee on natural disasters on 16th September, 2024.

It would be necessary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation to release the notifications so as not to make the people worry. 

Moreover, management organizations from Regions and States must carry out to make flood victims get purified drinking water and healthy diets, he added.

And then, responsible organizations needed to collaborate to make government offices and schools open as soon as possible in the flood-hit area, he said.

While seeing a flood-hit situation

"Donations and materials that were donated by well-wisher people must be systematically managed to make flood victims get justly and fairly. The State is sending five basic foods that are healthy and drinking water to temporary rescue camps for natural disaster victims including some temporary rescue camps where donors couldn't reach." said Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win.

South Korea would support 13 billion dollars for Myanmar flood victims, stated the South Korea Embassy to Myanmar on 16th September. 

The Kanbawza Bank would donate 10 billion kyats for the flood victims, it stated on 16th September. In the same way, the Ayeyarwady Bank would donate 10 billion kyats as well. Moreover, artists, philanthropists and the rich are also donating to the flood victims.

While seeing the statement on flood-hit situation released by the SAC

In Myanmar, because of Typhoon Yagi, it was continuously raining heavily and the water levels of rivers and creeks were so high that 56 townships from Naypyidaw Council Territory, Magway, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, Bago Regions, Kayah, Shan, Mon and Karen States were flooded. So, 2,116 houses were damaged and 158,373 houses were sunk. 

The government opened 438 rescue camps and had to move 42,858 households and 163,780 people.

According to the figures collected until 4:00 pm on 16th September, 226 people were killed and 77 people were lost. Moreover, 117 offices and departmental buildings, 1040 schools, 386 religious buildings, some roads and bridges, lamp posts and telecommunication towers were destroyed, reported the SAC.

Moreover, 128,344 animals were dead and 643,081 cultivated acres were sunk.

CNI News

18 September 2024

Floods took place throughout the country due to Typhoon Yagi and 226 people were killed and 643,081 cultivated acres were sunk, reported the State Administration Council (SAC). 

Due to the typhoon, it was continuously raining after which water levels of rivers and creeks were so high that 56 townships from the Naypyidaw Council Territory, Magway, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady, Bago Regions, Kayah, Shan and Karen States were flooded.

So, 2,116 houses were damaged and 156, 373 houses were sunk. The government opened 438 rescue camps and 42, 858 households and 163,780 people were moved.

According to the figure collected until 4:00 pm on 16th September, 226 people were killed and 77 people were lost. In the same way, 117 offices and department buildings, 1,040 schools, 386 religious buildings, some roads and bridges, lamp posts and telecommunication towers were damaged, reported the SAC.

Moreover, 128, 344 animals such as cow, goat and pig were killed as well as 643, 081 cultivated acres were sunk.

CNI News

18 September 2024

Due to floods all over the country after it was raining heavily, the paddy yield this year could decline by million baskets, farmers told CNI News. 

When the rainfed paddy was grown in the previous month for this year, due to flood in many parts, many paddy fields were destroyed.

When the time to reap the paddy was drawing very near at present, as floods took place in a big way, it could impact on the rice market, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

While a flood was taking place

" Because of flood, it could impact on the price of rice. But there is nothing to worry for the food of the country. Summer rice will be grown. But this year the paddy yield can decline by million baskets. So, it could impact on the price of rice, but not extremely." he said.

Farmers whose farms were flooded could face a lot of losses and farmers whose farms were not flooded are convenient. Moreover, flood could reach Bago and Ayeyarwady Regions reportedly.

Although paddy is grown in southern Shan State, as this region was flooded, demand in rice could be high, reviewed agricultural and economic advisors.

Moreover, it was not clear whether the local reserve rice is sufficient or not, they pointed out. If plantations that were flooded were fixed and rainfed rice were grown, cultivation would not be able to be conducted in time, Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor, told CNI News.

While Kalaw Town was being flooded

" It's been a long time since paddy was grown. When the paddy was flooded, mud and sand covered the pddy. It's hard to make the paddy go on living. If you re-plant after fixing the land, it will take at least one or two months. And then, if it doesn't rain anymore, you'll find it difficult to get water." he said.

More floods were taking place because there were no trees that can keep soil. So, it was not easy for farmers to protect the situation in advance, said agricultural and economic advisors.

So, trees must be grown again to better the natural environment, they advised.

CNI News

17 September 2024

EAOs have changed their ways of thinking as time goes by, Col.Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson of the 7 EAO Alliance, told CNI News. 

EAOs' way of thinking was to build a federal union and while the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement was drafted, although the way of thinking was to build a federal union, they have had new ways of thinking, he said.

" When almost all the EAOs drafted the NCA together, their negotiated agreement was to build a federal union. But as time goes by, some more ways of thinking have emerged. Since the NCA started in 2013-14, it's been a long time. It's no wonder that some more ways of thinking have emerged. Effect emerged from cause which we must accept. It's the reality." said Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt.

All the ethnic groups in Myanmar should establish the country after finding an answer for the political problem for the sake of the union, he said. 

The 7 EAO allies would start administering in the territories they had seized control of with the self-determinization ruling system, said General Yawd Serk, chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA) at the meeting held in March, 2024.

If it took long without finding an answer during armed conflicts, ways of thinking would change, U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the policy steering committee of the ANP, told CNI News.

" Armed groups are fighting for their ambitions because they think that the political problem can't be solved with the political means. And then when it takes for a long time, when one side isn't able to defeat the other decisively, based on the reality, their ways thinking can change. I wonder if they might want to sit at the political rountable. It might be in 2025 and beyond 2025, I think." he said.

The Arakan Army (AA) has said that it will build at least a confederation status while the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has told its people to get ready to build a country if needed. 

In the same way, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has said that EAOs could consider more than a federal union in 2025.

At present, battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and some EAOs/revolutionary forces in Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Kayah (Karenni), Karen States, Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Regions.

While the Myanmar Tatmadaw becomes weak after Myanmar is in a political crisis, EAOs have changed way of thinking from building a federal democratic union to building confederation states and are fighting for it.